Air Conditioner

ABSTRACT

An objective is to realize an air conditioner in which the amount of consumed electric power can be integrated without using an exclusive electric-power-amount counter, and a control line for measuring the amount of the electric power can be shortened. Commercial electric power is supplied to an outdoor unit  1  and an indoor unit of the air conditioner through a Watt-hour meter  3 , for measuring the amount of electric power supplied to the outdoor unit  1  and the indoor unit, having a transmitter for transmitting pulse signals, and through an electric power line  4 . The Watt-hour meter  3  and the outdoor unit  1  are communicatively connected to each other through a control line  5 . The outdoor unit  1  and the indoor unit are communicatively connected to a centralized controller through a transmission line  7 . Especially, the outdoor unit  1  includes a Watt-hour meter connection circuit  10  for receiving a signal related to the amount of the electric power from the Watt-hour meter  3 , and a controller  11  for integrating the amount of electric power based on the received signal related to the amount of the electric power.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to air conditioners in which the amount of consumed electric power is configured to be integrated in the side of an outdoor unit, based on signals transmitted from a Watt-hour meter.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional air conditioner, when the amount of consumed electric power is measured, as disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, signals transmitted from Watt-hour meters installed between indoor/outdoor units and commercial electric power source have been taken into exclusive amount counters and counted; thus, the amount of the electric power has been configured to be integrated.

-   [Patent Document 1] -   Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 234,792/2000 (on pages 4-6,     FIG. 1)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, in the method of measuring the amount of the electric power consumed by the air conditioner disclosed in the above document, the exclusive electric-power-amount counters, which are relatively expensive, and take a relatively large area to be mounted, are needed to be used. On the other hand, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is generally placed take the room, and the electric power supplier and the outdoor-unit Watt-hour meter are placed close to the outdoor unit. Correspondingly, because the electric-power-amount counter is mounted on a controller panel, etc. placed inside a room, a problem has occurred in which electrical lines wired from the electric-power-amount counters to the outdoor unit and the Watt-hour meter are lengthened.

A first objective of the present invention, which is made to solve the above described problem, is to obtain an air conditioner in which the amount of consumed electric power can be integrated without using an exclusive electric-power-amount counter.

Moreover, a second objective is to obtain an air conditioner in which a control line needed for measuring the amount of electric power can be shortened.

In order to achieve the above objective, in an air conditioner according to the present invention having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, the outdoor unit includes a signal receiving means for receiving a signal related to the amount of electric power from a Watt-hour meter for measuring the amount of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit and the indoor unit; and an electric-power-amount integration means for integrating the amount of the electric power based on the received signal related to the amount of the electric power.

In an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, the outdoor unit includes an outdoor-unit signal receiving means for receiving a signal related to the amount of electric power from an outdoor-unit Watt-hour meter for measuring the amount of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit; an outdoor-unit electric-power-amount integration means for integrating the amount of the electric power of the outdoor unit based on the received signal related to the amount of the electric power; an indoor-unit signal receiving means for receiving a signal related to the amount of electric power from an indoor-unit Watt-hour meter for measuring the amount of the electric power supplied to the indoor unit; and an indoor-unit electric-power-amount integration means for integrating the amount of the electric power of the indoor unit based on the received signal related to the amount of the electric power by the indoor-unit signal receiving means.

In an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, the outdoor unit includes an all-indoor-units signal receiving means for receiving a signal related to the total amounts of electric power from a Watt-hour meter for measuring the total amounts of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units; an all-indoor-units electric-power-amount integration means for integrating the total amounts of the electric power of the outdoor unit and all of the indoor units based on the received signal related to the total amounts of the electric power; an indoor-unit operation-information collection means for independently collecting operation information of each of the plurality of indoor units; and an electric-power-amount proportionally-dividing means for proportionally dividing, based on the independently collected operation information of each indoor unit, into the amount of electric power for each indoor unit, the integrated total amounts of the electric power of the outdoor unit and all of the indoor units.

Moreover, in each of the above configurations, an air conditioner further includes a centralized controller for operating and controlling the outdoor and indoor units, and for displaying the operational state of the outdoor and indoor units, wherein the outdoor unit further includes a unit electric-power-amount calculation means for calculating, from the amount of the electric power integrated by the electric-power-amount integration means, the amount of electric power for each unit time, and a transmission means for transmitting, into centralized controller through a transmission line, the calculated amount of the electric power for each unit time.

In each of the above configurations, the outdoor unit further includes a limited-value memory means for memorizing a limited value of consumed electric power for each unit time set in advance, and a control means for controlling the outdoor and indoor units so that the amount of the electric power received from the Watt-hour meter and integrated does not exceed the memorized limited value of the consumed electric power.

Furthermore, in each of the above configurations, the outdoor unit further includes an electric-power shut-down detection means for detecting shut-down of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit; and an electric-power switching means for switching, when the shut-down of the electric power is detected, the electric power for the receiving means, from an ac/dc converter circuit into a self-maintenance battery.

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the outdoor unit takes the signals related to the amounts of the electric power, consumed in the outdoor and indoor units, outputted from the Watt-hour meter also placed take the room, and integrates the amount of the electric power; therefore, it is effective that the amount of the consumed electric power can be measured without using any exclusive electric-power-amount counter for integrating the amount of electric power. Therefore, a large amount of expense for the electric-power-amount counter is unnecessary to be invested, and a space for mounting the electric-power-amount counter is also unnecessary to be secured. Moreover, because the outdoor unit and the Watt-hour meter can be placed close to each other, the amount of the electric power can be integrated at the proximity of the Watt-hour meter; therefore, it is also effective that the control line for integrating the amount of electric power can be shortened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

EXPLANATION OF NUMERALS

1: Outdoor unit; 2, 2 a, 2 b: Indoor unit; 3, 3 a, 3 b : Watt-hour meter; 4, 4 a, 4 b: Electric power line; 5, 5 a, 5 b: Control line; 6: Centralized controller; 7: Transmission line; 8: Coolant circuit; 9: Inverter; 10, 10 a, 10 b: Watt-hour meter connection circuit; 11: Controller; 12: Outdoor unit; 13: Controller; 14: Outdoor unit; 15: Controller; 16: Central processing unit; 17: Communication circuit; 18: Input/output circuit; 19: Memory; 20: Outdoor unit; 21: Controller; 22: Central processing unit; 23: Timer circuit; 24: Outdoor unit; 25: Watt-hour meter connection circuit; 26: Input unit; 27: Memory; 28: Output unit; 29: AC/DC converter circuit; 30: Secondary battery; 31: Electric power supplier.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In each figure, the air conditioner according to this embodiment is provided with an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2. Commercial electric power is supplied to these outdoor unit 1 and indoor unit 2 through a Watt-hour meter 3, for measuring the amount of electric power, having a transmitter for transmitting pulse signals (for example, one pulse per 10 kW), and through an electric power line 4. The Watt-hour meter 3 and the outdoor unit 1 are communicatively connected to each other through a control line 5. Moreover, the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are communicatively connected to a centralized controller 6 through a transmission line 7.

Furthermore, the outdoor unit 1 is composed of a coolant circuit 8 including a sensor, an LEV (linear expansion valve), a heat exchanger, a compressor, and a fan; an inverter 9 for frequency controlling the rotation number of the compressor and the fan included in the coolant circuit 8; a Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 connected through the Watt-hour meter 3 and the control line 5; and a controller 11 communicatively connected with the coolant circuit 8, the inverter 9, and the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10; which are respectively conventional. The controller 11 is configured of a microcomputer, etc.

Next, an operation is explained.

The commercial electric power is supplied to the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 through the Watt-hour meter 3 and the electric power line 4. The Watt-hour meter 3 measures the amount of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, and transmits a pulse signal (an example of a signal related to the amount of the electric power according to the present invention) for each predetermined amount of the electric power (10 kW as described above) that has been measured. The pulse signals from the Watt-hour meter 3 are transmitted through the control line 5, and received by the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 (an example of a signal receiving means). The Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 transmits the received pulse signals to the controller 11. Then, the controller 11 (an example of an electric-power-amount integration means) integrates the pulse signals received from the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10, and calculates the integrated amount of the electric power.

As described above, according to the air conditioner of this embodiment, the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 provided in the outdoor unit 1 takes the pulse signals with respect to the amount of the electric power, used in the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, outputted from the Watt-hour meter 3 placed outside the room, and then, calculates and integrates the amount of the electric power. Therefore, without using the exclusive electric-power-amount counter represented in the conventional technology, the consumed electric power can be measured. Thereby, a large expense and a space for installing the electric-power-amount counter need not be prepared. Moreover, because the outdoor unit 1 and the Watt-hour meter 3 are placed close to each other, the electric-power-amount integration becomes possible in the vicinity of the Watt-hour meter 3; consequently, the control line 5 for integrating the amount of the electric power can be shortened.

Embodiment 2

In the above Embodiment 1, the outdoor unit 1 is configured to control the single Watt-hour meter 3; next, Embodiment 2 is explained in which a plurality of the Watt-hour meters 3 is controlled.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an air conditioner in such case, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

As represented in each figure, the air conditioner according to this embodiment has a single outdoor unit 12 and double indoor units 2 a and 2 b. Electric power is supplied to the outdoor unit 12 through an electric power line 4 a wired across a Watt-hour meter 3 a having a transmitter, and to the indoor units 2 a and 2 b through an electric power line 4 b wired across a Watt-hour meter 3 b having a transmitter. These Watt-hour meters 3 a and 3 b each is connected to the outdoor unit 12 through control lines 5 a and 5 b, respectively. Moreover, the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b are connected to the centralized controller 6 through the transmission line 7.

Furthermore, the outdoor unit 12 is composed of the coolant circuit 8, inverter 9, a Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 a connected to the Watt-hour meters 3 a through the control line 5 a, a Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 b connected to the Watt-hour meters 3 b through the control line 5 b, and the controller 13 communicatively connected to the coolant circuit 8, inverter 9, and the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 a and 10 b, as respectively described in Embodiment 1.

Next, an operation is explained.

The commercial electric power is supplied to the outdoor unit 12 across the Watt-hour meter 3 a through the electric power line 4 a. The commercial electric power is supplied to the indoor units 2 a and 2 b across the Watt-hour meter 3 b through the electric power line 4 b. Therefore, the consumed electric power of the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b can be independently measured by the Watt-hour meters 3 a and 3 b, respectively. First, the Watt-hour meter 3 a (an example of an outdoor-unit Watt-hour meter) measures the amount of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit 12, and transmits pulse signals related to the amount of the electric power, to the outdoor unit 12 through the control line 5 a. The Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 a (an example of an outdoor-unit signal receiving means) provided in the outdoor unit 12 receives the pulse signals from the Watt-hour meter 3 a, and transmits them to the controller 13. The controller 13 (an example of an outdoor-unit electric-power-amount integration means) calculates the integrated amount of the electric power of the outdoor unit 12 based on the pulse signals transmitted from the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 a. On the other hand, the Watt-hour meter 3 b (an example of an indoor-unit Watt-hour meter) measures the amount of the electric power supplied to the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, and transmits the pulse signals related to the amount of the electric power, to the outdoor unit 12 through the control line 5 b. The Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 b (an example of an indoor-unit signal receiving means) provided in the outdoor unit 12 receives the pulse signals from the Watt-hour meter 3 b, and transmits them to the controller 13. The controller 13 (an example of an indoor-unit electric-power-amount integration means) calculates the integrated amount of the electric power of the indoor units 2 a and 2 b based on the pulse signals transmitted from the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 b.

As described above, the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 a used for the outdoor unit and the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 b used for the indoor unit are provided in the outdoor unit 12; therefore, without using the exclusive electric-power-amount counter, each consumed amount of the electric power of the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b can be independently integrated.

Embodiment 3

In the above embodiments 1 and 2, consumed electric power is measured by the outdoor unit; next, Embodiment 3 is explained in which the amount of electric power is proportionally divided from the operational data of the indoor unit.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an air conditioner in such case, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

As represented in each figure, the air conditioner has a single outdoor unit 14 and the double indoor units 2 a and 2 b. Commercial electric power is supplied to the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b through the electric power line 4 wired across the Watt-hour meter 3 having a transmitter. The Watt-hour meter 3 and the outdoor unit 14 are communicatively connected to each other through the control line 5. Moreover, the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b are communicatively connected to the centralized controller 6 through the transmission line 7.

Furthermore, the outdoor unit 14 is composed of the coolant circuit 8, inverter 9, a Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 connected to the Watt-hour meters 3 through the control line 5, and a controller 15 communicatively connected to the coolant circuit 8, inverter 9, and the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10, as respectively described in Embodiment 1. The controller 15 is composed of a central processing unit 16 including a microcomputer; a communication circuit 17 for performing communication; an input/output circuit 18 for controlling the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10, inverter 9, and the coolant circuit 8; and a memory 19 for memorizing a control state, etc.

Next, an operation is explained.

Commercial electric power is supplied to the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b across the Watt-hour meter 3 through the electric power line 4. Here, the Watt-hour meter 3 measures the total amounts of electric power supplied to all of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, and transmits to the outdoor unit 14 the pulse signals related to the total amounts of the electric power. The Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 (an example of an all-indoor-units signal receiving means) provided in the outdoor unit 14 receives the pulse signals from the Watt-hour meter 3, and transmits them to the controller 15. The central processing unit 16 (an example of an all-indoor-units electric-power-amount integration means) included in the controller 15, based on the pulse signals transmitted from the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10, integrates all of the total amounts of the electric power consumed by the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, and stores the result into the memory 19. Moreover, the central processing unit 16 (an example of an indoor-unit operation-information collection means) independently collects operation information of the indoor units 2 a and 2 b through the transmission line 7 and the communication circuit 17, and stores it into the memory 19. There, the central processing unit 16 (an example of an electric-power-amount proportionally dividing means), based on the independent operation information, memorized in the memory 19, of the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, proportionally divides, into the integrated amount of the electric power for each indoor units 2 a and 2 b, all of the integrated total amounts of the electric power consumed by the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b.

For example, it is assumed that the indoor unit 2 a whose power consumption per unit time is 2.8 kW and the indoor unit 2 b whose power consumption per unit time is 5.6 kW were simultaneously operated, and the power consumption value taken from the Watt-hour meter 3 during the operation was 3 kW. In such case, the power of 3 kW is proportionally divided by the consumption electric power ratio of 1:2 for the indoor units 2 a and 2 b; that is, the consumption-electric-power values are proportionally divided so that the indoor unit 2 a and the outdoor unit 14 corresponding to the indoor unit 2 a each is set at 1 kW, and meanwhile, the indoor unit 2 b and the outdoor unit 14 corresponding to the indoor unit 2 b each is set at 2 kW.

As described above, because not only electric power is supplied, using the electric power line 4 wired across the Watt-hour meter 3 to the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, but also the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b are communicatively connected to each other through the transmission line 7, the outdoor unit 14 can collect the operation information of the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, and can proportionally divide the consumed amount of the electric power, corresponding to the types of the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, or the collected operation information, etc.

In the above explanation, an example is explained in which the amount of the electric power is proportionally divided using, as the operation information, only the consumed electric power per unit time and ON/OFF states of the indoor units 2 a and 2 b; however, even if a method is used in which, for example, a flowing volume of the coolant is detected, and the amount of the electric power is proportionally divided using this detected flowing volume as the operation information, it is needless to say that a response similar to that can be performed by this embodiment.

Embodiment 4

In the above embodiments 1, 2, and 3, the consumed electric power is measured and proportionally divided by the outdoor unit; next, Embodiment 4 is explained in which the integrated amount of the electric power is displayed by the centralized controller.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an air conditioner in such case, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

As represented in each figure, commercial electric power is supplied to the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b through the Watt-hour meter 3 having a transmitter and the electric power line 4. The Watt-hour meter 3 and the outdoor unit 14 are communicatively connected to each other through the control line 5. Moreover, the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b are communicatively connected to the centralized controller 6 through the transmission line 7 (a transmission path). The centralized controller 6 (an example of a centralized controller) operationally controls the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, and the operational states of the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b are configured to be displayed on a display provided in the controller. Furthermore, as respectively described in Embodiment 1, the outdoor unit 14 is composed of the coolant circuit 8, inverter 9, the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 connected to the Watt-hour meter 3 through the control line 5, and the controller 15 communicatively connected to the coolant circuit 8, the inverter 9, and the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10. The controller 15 is composed of the central processing unit 16 including the microcomputer; the communication circuit 17 for performing communication; the input/output circuit 18 for controlling the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10, inverter 9, and the coolant circuit 8; and the memory 19 for memorizing a control state, etc.

Next, an operation is explained.

Commercial electric power is supplied to the outdoor unit 14 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b across the Watt-hour meter 3 through the electric power line 4. Here, the pulse signals related to the amount of the electric power measured by the Watt-hour meter 3 are taken by the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 of the outdoor unit 14 through the control line 5, and the amount of the electric power is integrated by the central processing unit 16 included in the controller 15 of the outdoor unit 14. Moreover, the central processing unit 16 (an example of a unit electric-power-amount calculation means) calculates the amount of the electric power for each unit time taken from the integrated amount of electric power and the time of a timer. The communication circuit 17 (an example of a transmission means) transmits into the centralized controller 6, through the transmission line 7, the calculated amount of the electric power for each unit time. The centralized controller 6 displays on a controller display (not illustrated in the figure) the received amount of the electric power for each unit time.

As described above, the controller 15 of the outdoor unit 14 is connected to the centralized controller 6 through the transmission line 7 and the transmission line 7; therefore, the outdoor unit 14, by transmitting into the centralized controller 6 the calculated electric-power amount per unit time, can display it or convert it into the electric power cost.

Embodiment 5

In the above embodiments 1, 2, 3, and 4, consumed electric power is measured, proportionally divided, and displayed by the centralized controller; next, Embodiment 5 is explained in which an air conditioner is controlled based on the measured value of the consumed electric power so that the amount of the consumed electric power does not exceed an electric-power limited value.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of the air conditioner in such case, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

As represented in each figure, commercial electric power is supplied to an outdoor unit 20 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b through the electric power line 4 wired across the Watt-hour meter 3 having a transmitter. The Watt-hour meter 3 and the outdoor unit 20 are connected to each other through the control line 5. Moreover, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b are connected to the centralized controller 6 through the transmission line 7. Furthermore, as respectively described in Embodiment 1, the outdoor unit 20 is composed of the coolant circuit 8, inverter 9, the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10 connected to the Watt-hour meter 3 through the control line 5, and a controller 21 communicatively connected to the coolant circuit 8, the inverter 9, and the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10. The controller 21 is composed of a central processing unit 22 including a microcomputer, etc.; the communication circuit 17 for performing communication; the input/output circuit 18 for controlling the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10, inverter 9, and the coolant circuit 8; the memory 19 for memorizing a control state, etc.; and a timer circuit 23 for measuring a time.

Next, an operation is explained.

For example, when an operation is performed in such a way that the maximum amount of the consumed electric power per unit time in a time zone from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm is set to 6 kW (an example of a limited value of consumed electric power for each unit time), such setting contents are previously set and inputted by an operational button switch, etc. (not illustrated in the figure) of the centralized controller 6, and are transmitted to the outdoor unit 20 through the transmission line 7. Then, the controller 21 of the outdoor unit 20 takes, into the central processing unit 22 through the communication circuit 17, the setting contents transmitted from the centralized controller 6. Such setting contents (the maximum value of the consumed electric power per hour in the time zone from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm is 6 kW) are memorized in the memory 19 (an example of a limited-value memory means). Moreover, the controller 21 of the outdoor unit 20 receives, through the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10, pulse signals, with respect to the amount of the electric power consumed in the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b, measured by the Watt-hour meter 3. Then, when the controller 21 (an example of a control means) determines that the amount of the consumed electric power measured by the Watt-hour meter 3 is going to exceed the limited value soon, the controller 21 controls the inverter 9, etc., based on the consumed electric power measured by the Watt-hour meter 3, the limited value (6 kW) of the consumed-electric-power amount memorized in the memory 19, and the time measured by the timer circuit 23; thereby, the electric power consumed is decreased.

That is, as an example of the above procedure, in the time zone from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, in order to keep the consumed electric power within 1 kW for 10-minute unit, at a time when the measured value of the consumed electric power exceeds 80% of 1 kW, the controller 21 controls so that the operation is performed in which the ability of the inverter 9 is, for example, reduced to 50% during the remaining time; consequently, the consumed electric power per unit time is reduced.

As described above, the outdoor unit 20 not only memorizes the limited value of the consumed electric power per unit time, but also has the time measuring function of the timer circuit 23; thereby, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor units 2 a and 2 b can be controlled so that the amount of the consumed electric power per unit time does not exceed the limited value.

Embodiment 6

In the above embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, consumed electric power is measured, proportionally divided, and also displayed by the centralized controller, or air conditioners are controlled based on the consumed electric power; next, Embodiment 6 is explained in which the amount of the electric power during a blackout is measured. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

As respectively described in Embodiment 1, an outdoor unit 24 is composed of the coolant circuit 8, inverter 9, a Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25 connected to the Watt-hour meter 3 through the control line 5, and the controller 21 communicatively connected to the coolant circuit 8, the inverter 9, and the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 10. The above Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25 is composed of an input unit 26 for inputting pulse signals related to the amount of the electric power transmitted from the Watt-hour meter 3; a memory 27 for memorizing the value of the electric-power amount related to the inputted pulse signals; an output unit 28 for outputting to the controller 21 the memorized value of the electric-power amount; and an electric power supplier 31 having a built-in AC/DC converter circuit 29 (an example of an ac/dc converter circuit) for supplying the operational electric power from commercial electric power in order to operate the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25, and a built-in secondary battery 30 (an example of a self-maintenance battery) for supplying the operational electric power during the blackout.

Next, an operation is explained.

The amount of the electric power measured by the Watt-hour meter 3 is transmitted as pulse signals into the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25 of the outdoor unit 24 through the control line 5. Here, when a blackout does not occur in the outdoor unit 24, the electric power supplier 31 of the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25 supplies the operational electric power to the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25 by the AC/DC converter circuit 29. Then, the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25 takes the pulse signals from the Watt-hour meter 3 by the input unit 26, and transmits the pulse signals into the memory 27. The memory 27 transmits the pulse signals into the controller 21 through the output unit 28.

On the other hand, if the electric power supplier 31 (an example of an electric-power shut-down detection means) detects shut-down of electric power supplied to the outdoor unit 24, the electric power supplier 31 (an example of an electric-power switching means) switches, from the AC/DC converter circuit 2 to the secondary battery 30, the electric power for operating the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25. Here, the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25 takes the pulse signals from the Watt-hour meter 3 by the input unit 26, and then, the value of the electric power amount related to this pulse signals is memorized into the memory 27. The value of the electric power amount memorized in the memory 27 is transmitted to the controller 21 through the output unit 28, after the electric power is re-supplied.

As described above, because the Watt-hour meter connection circuit 25 of the outdoor unit 24 has the electric power supplier 31 including the memory 27 and the secondary battery 30, even when electric power supplying to the outdoor unit 24 is shut down due to a blackout, etc., the misgivings are quelled that measured data by the Watt-hour meter 3 is lost.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The air conditioner according to the present invention is suitable for integrating, by the side of the outdoor unit based on the transmission signals from the Watt-hour meter, the amount of the consumed electric power. 

1. An air conditioner including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, the outdoor unit comprising: a signal receiving means for receiving a signal related to the amount of electric power from a Watt-hour meter for measuring the amount of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit and the indoor unit; and an electric-power-amount integration means for integrating the amount of the electric power based on the signal related to the received amount of the electric power.
 2. An air conditioner including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, the outdoor unit comprising: an outdoor-unit signal receiving means for receiving a signal related to the amount of electric power from an outdoor-unit Watt-hour meter for measuring the amount of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit; an outdoor-unit electric-power-amount integration means for integrating the amount of the electric power of the outdoor unit based on the signal related to the received amount of the electric power; an indoor-unit signal receiving means for receiving a signal related to the amount of electric power from an indoor-unit Watt-hour meter for measuring the amount of the electric power supplied to the indoor unit; and an indoor-unit electric-power-amount integration means for integrating the amount of the electric power of the indoor unit based on the signal related to the received amount of the electric power by the indoor-unit signal receiving means.
 3. An air conditioner including an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, the outdoor unit comprising: an all-indoor-units signal receiving means for receiving a signal related to the total amounts of electric power from a Watt-hour meter for measuring the total amounts of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units; an all-indoor-units electric-power-amount integration means for integrating the total amounts of the electric power of the outdoor unit and all of the indoor units based on the signal related to the received total amounts of the electric power; an indoor-unit operation-information collection means for independently collecting operation information of each of the plurality of indoor units; and an electric-power-amount proportionally-dividing means for proportionally dividing, based on the independently collected operation information of each indoor unit, into the amount of electric power for each indoor unit, the integrated total amounts of the electric power of the outdoor unit and all of the indoor units.
 4. An air conditioner as recited in claim 1 further comprising a centralized controller for operating and controlling the outdoor and indoor units, and for displaying the operational state of the outdoor and indoor units, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: a unit electric-power-amount calculation means for calculating, from the amount of the electric power integrated by the electric-power-amount integration means, the amount of electric power for each unit time, and a transmission means for transmitting, into centralized controller through a transmission line, the calculated amount of the electric power for each unit time.
 5. An air conditioner as recited in claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: a limited-value memory means for memorizing a limited value of consumed electric power for each unit time set in advance, and a control means for controlling the outdoor and indoor units so that the amount of the electric power received from the Watt-hour meter and integrated does not exceed the memorized limited value of the consumed electric power.
 6. An air conditioner as recited in claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: an electric-power shut-down detection means for detecting shut-down of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit; and an electric-power switching means for switching, when the shut-down of the electric power is detected, the electric power for the receiving means, from an ac/dc converter circuit into a self-maintenance
 7. An air conditioner as recited in claim 2 further comprising a centralized controller for operating and controlling the outdoor and indoor units, and for displaying the operational state of the outdoor and indoor units, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: a unit electric-power-amount calculation means for calculating, from the amount of the electric power integrated by the electric-power-amount integration means, the amount of electric power for each unit time, and a transmission means for transmitting, into centralized controller through a transmission line, the calculated amount of the electric power for each unit time.
 8. An air conditioner as recited in claim 3 further comprising a centralized controller for operating and controlling the outdoor and indoor units, and for displaying the operational state of the outdoor and indoor units, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: a unit electric-power-amount calculation means for calculating, from the amount of the electric power integrated by the electric-power-amount integration means, the amount of electric power for each unit time, and a transmission means for transmitting, into centralized controller through a transmission line, the calculated amount of the electric power for each unit time.
 9. An air conditioner as recited in claim 2, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: a limited-value memory means for memorizing a limited value of consumed electric power for each unit time set in advance, and a control means for controlling the outdoor and indoor units so that the amount of the electric power received from the Watt-hour meter and integrated does not exceed the memorized limited value of the consumed electric power.
 10. An air conditioner as recited in claim 3, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: a limited-value memory means for memorizing a limited value of consumed electric power for each unit time set in advance, and a control means for controlling the outdoor and indoor units so that the amount of the electric power received from the Watt-hour meter and integrated does not exceed the memorized limited value of the consumed electric power.
 11. An air conditioner as recited in claim 4, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: a limited-value memory means for memorizing a limited value of consumed electric power for each unit time set in advance, and a control means for controlling the outdoor and indoor units so that the amount of the electric power received from the Watt-hour meter and integrated does not exceed the memorized limited value of the consumed electric power.
 12. An air conditioner as recited in claim 2, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: an electric-power shut-down detection means for detecting shut-down of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit; and an electric-power switching means for switching, when the shut-down of the electric power is detected, the electric power for the receiving means, from an ac/dc converter circuit into a self-maintenance.
 13. An air conditioner as recited in claim 3, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: an electric-power shut-down detection means for detecting shut-down of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit; and an electric-power switching means for switching, when the shut-down of the electric power is detected, the electric power for the receiving means, from an ac/dc converter circuit into a self-maintenance.
 14. An air conditioner as recited in claim 4, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: an electric-power shut-down detection means for detecting shut-down of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit; and an electric-power switching means for switching, when the shut-down of the electric power is detected, the electric power for the receiving means, from an ac/dc converter circuit into a self-maintenance.
 15. An air conditioner as recited claim 5, wherein the outdoor unit further includes: an electric-power shut-down detection means for detecting shut-down of the electric power supplied to the outdoor unit; and an electric-power switching means for switching, when the shut-down of the electric power is detected, the electric power for the receiving means, from an ac/dc converter circuit into a self-maintenance. 